Jungle Fever

Good news everyone!  Since I'm writing this it means I did not get eaten by an anaconda or cayman while living in the jungle!  Hooray! Let me first start by saying the jungle was AWESOME!!! We took an overnight bus (8 hours of not good sleep) to meet our jungle guide.  From there we had another 2 hour bus ride to get to the river.  And then we had a 2 hour motor boat trip down the cuyabeno river! I will admit that I was a nervous wreck on that dang motorboat! Every time we turned I thought for sure we were gonna tip and I would fall in and be eaten by some crazy exotic animal.  It took my friend Michelle talking me through it and about 30 minutes before I finally was able to relax and trust our motorist! The cool part was when we stopped to see some squirrel monkeys crossing the river by jumping from tree to tree...above our heads!  Soooo cool! We saw several monkey species, birds, and an anaconda (but it was a small one and it was cuddled up in a branch so there was no danger...unfortunately!) we arrived at our lodge in time for lunch and then we headed out to swim in the lagoon and take a nature walk.  Swimming was freaky bc the water is literally black.  You can't see a thing! But it was so refreshing! Afterwards we did a night walk to look for insects and such.  Mind you, it was pitch black by this time so all we had were flashlights.  We saw lots of insects and spiders! The guides are amazing at what they can spot.  So many of the creatures have such incredible camouflage that to any of us they were impossible to see but our guide was all over it!  We then had a moment where we turned off all our flashlights and just stood in the dark...wow.  I could never survive in the jungle.  We couldn't see a thing!  Talk about creepy! After that we headed back in to our lodge for dinner.  Our lodge 'supposedly' didn't have electricity (but we think they were hiding it) so everything was lit by candlelight. Two of the guides invited Mridula and I out in a boat to star gaze.  This was by far a highlight! The sky was FULL of stars...more than I've ever seen before! There were two hearts being formed which was cool and we saw a few other designs! 

Some of our other adventures consisted of another nature walk to identify plants that are used as natural medicines for the indigenous people living in the jungle.  We got to swing on some crazy tree vines like Tarzan and we saw some other animals/insects.  We also got to see some dolphins.  We really only saw the top of their heads but it was still pretty cool! We took one night to search for caymans.  There was one that basically lived under our lodge but then we were able to find another one out in the wild! Our next day was cool bc we got to spend time in an indigenous community.  The bad thing about this day was it rained the entire 1.5 hours in bus and even though we had rain ponchos, they were completely water proof so I was a bit damp to say the least.  In the community we had one lady who 'hosted us.' With her we went and picked Yuca (a potato like veggie) and then watched the process of how they make yuca tortillas all from hand!  The process is quite incredible and time consuming.  We only made about 5 tortillas(they were huge) but normally she does about 100 at a time and it will last them about a month.  Once I get pictures uploaded you can see the process there. I could say a lot about this experience but I'm running a bit long as it is so if you're curious, just ask and I'll tell you more on how they live.  

After time in the community we went and visited a Shaman (a healer of sorts). This is also quite an interesting part to their culture.  Basically the Shaman heals the people by either a 'spiritual cleansing' of song and ritual dance or he prescribes some medicine that can be found in the jungle.  The interesting part is that in order to do either of these, the Shaman drinks a hallucinogen so he can 'see into their spirits/body'. He does this about 3-4 times a week.  Anyone who wants to be a Shaman can try...it takes about 20 years in all.  They start their training around age 12. Basically through out time if they can drink the drug and 'control' its effects, they earn the title.  

Our last morning started super early with bird watching before breakfast.  Then we packed up and headed back.  There were definitely tarantulas living on the ceilings of our huts, big ones at that!  But they never bothered anyone.  We slept in mosquito nets but it was more to protect us from the spiders, frogs and whatever else that could have landed on us!  I actually slept pretty great every night in spite of the potential death by tarantula! ;) 

Overall, the experience was incredible!  So glad I had the chance to go.  I was hoping to see a few more cayman and a monster anaconda but it wasn't in the cards this time around!  Pictures to come once I've arrived back to the states! 

Thanks for tuning in! 

Altitude makes a difference!

Hey everyone!  I thought I'd fill ya in on the past week.  Last weekend was incredible! The fun started Friday night.  We set out to go salsa dancing with a family friend (of my host family) and a brother.  We were under the impression that these fellas could dance.  So we walk around a while looking for a good place and don't have much luck.  This was our clue that maybe they didn't do this too often.  So we finally decide on a place and quickly learn that not one of the 4 guys that was with us could dance. I give credit to Pablo (oldest and shortest of them all) because he was moving the entire time...I'm just not sure you could call what he was doing dancing!  When it came to salsa...whew...he was a chicken with his head cut off.  I totally loved his enthusiasm and passion and the fact that he was having fun; contrary to the fact that the others were just standing around.  So after a bit we kindly ditched them and went off on our own.  Due to the long night, Saturday was a day of rest!  I claimed a me day and it was perfect! I was pretty lazy u til noon.  I then headed to a nearby park area and was able to worship a bit and take a nap outside.  The weather was perfect...until the sky became dark and I trout I better pack up.  So I ended up in a little cafe, had myself a sandwich as I studied some Spanish! Came home, watched a movie, ate dinner, and then some of the girls in my house and I had a little pow wow of chit chat and such!  It was great!  

Sunday started off fantastic as well. We ate our usual breakfast of eggs and bread and then Michelle, Mridula and I started our journey to the teleferico (gondola). The teleferico takes you up a mountain to about 4250 meters above sea level! Then beyond that is an optional 3 hour hike (one way) to another mountain.  Well, I hate to report we did not make it all the way to the top but we hiked for about 2 hours.  We were quite content with the place we reached.  It was incredible how the altitude really effects your endurance.  There were times when we had to stop every 3 minutes to catch our breath just because our lungs felt like they were collapsing (due to the altitude...and maybe a bit due to the fact that we are out of shape but mostly the altitude ! ) the views were definitely worth the pain and suffering! We were able to see most of Quito- including Cotopaxi...a snow covered volcano! The way down was a bit more dangerous than the way up since our trail was steep and made of loose dirt.  There were several close calls where one of us slipped and the others gasped in hope all was well.  Luckily- no injuries for us! By the time we made it back home, we were filthy and exhausted! We were in for the night. 

Monday after classes a couple of us went to the museum of Guayasamin (Ecuadorian artist). Part of the museum was his house...SOOO cool.  He died in 99 but they have preserved his house wonderfully.  His house is full of work from other artists that were either gifts or purchases.  They have even kept his clothes in his closet! The house was absolutely amazing,  we saw the studio where he used to paint.  He also sculpted, designed, and many more talents.  A lot of his work captured pain and suffering of those he visited in other countries or the suffering he himself experienced as a kid.  The whole experience was super cool! Plus the tour was in Spanish so it was good practice! 

Tuesday was nothing special that I recall.

Wednesday was ridiculously horrible in terms of Spanish!  I was on the verge of explosion the entire 4 hours of class.  It was a combination of being tired and being overloaded!  For this of you who have learned Spanish- I'm studying the imperfect subjunctive formation and my oh my am I confused!  So, Wed afternoon I had chocolate therapy and Wed night I had dancing therapy! Sure enough, Thursday and Friday went much better! Tonight we are playing it it kinda chill.  Tomorrow is Independence Day for Ecuador so we have lots of activities todo tomorrow-concerts, museums, etc. all for free!  And here is the exciting part...I'm taking a week off from classes and going to...

THE JUNGLE!!!  I will be spending 4 days and 3 nights in the Amazon.  It has been forecasted that I will see caymans, anacondas, tarantulas (bigger than my hands), monkeys and much more!  Please pray for my safety!  I am so very excited! So, my next update will be about my crazy jungle experience!  Stay tuned...

Birthday bust but back on my feet!

Well, I thought I was getting better at this blogging thing but it seems as if I've dropped the ball for the last 2 weeks.  Allow me to catch you up...

The day of my last post happened to be my ecuadorian moms birthday.  To celebrate, all of us in the house went in on flowers, balloons and cake.  Well here in Latin America you just can't find your typical birthday cake.  So the cake we ate ended up being two layers; bottom layer was a really dry white 'cake' and on top of it was a weird (nice way of saying disgusting) gelatin substance.  Of course we all ate it out of obligation but no one liked it!  The next thing I knew, Monday morning (my birthday) I had stomach pain so bad that my body was involuntarily resorting to the fetal position!  I was in bed for the following 2 days!  I can't guarantee it was the cake but that's where I'm placing blame! So, due to that random stint of illness the week wasn't so productive.  However, good news is I finished the Intermediate level of Spanish!  To celebrate my professor took me around town on Friday and showed me good places to eat, shop, walk, etc.  it was a fun last day with Isabel (my teacher).  Friday night there was a decent group of us from school that decided to go out.  We were celebrating my birthday and the last weekend of two of our fellow students!  It was a night full of dancing! 

Since Friday night ran late (230 am) Saturday morning was nothing but rest in bed! Once we finally gained the energy to get out of the house, I went with a roommate and classmate to see the Basilica.  The Basilica is about 150 years old and its incredible!  The craziest thing is that it took approx 450 years to construct...and it's not even finished. You can climb to the tower and get a great view of the city but you have to have enough courage to climb the metal rod 'stairs'. But the view was worth the life threatening trek it took to see it! 

Sunday was quite a fun day for me!  I have an interesting connection here in Quito.  I went to college with a girl whose parents actually work at the Nazarene Seminary here!  And - those of you who know Judy Blair, her daughters husband is the son of this same couple! So, thanks to Judy, I was connected with them and went to church on Sunday.  It was a quaint little service (in Spanish).  We then went to a fantastic steakhouse for lunch! It was great to meet such a caring couple!  Carolyn (the wife) is a nurse so she's a good connection to have here! I'm looking forward to connecting with them again before I leave! 

This week in school has bee pen AMAZING!!!  I got a new teacher and I absolutely love her!  Her name is Estefania. She makes me talk the entire time which is very different than my last teacher.  I think I may stick with her for the rest of my time here! 

It's week has been good.  Monday I was able to go to a museum with some friends and we also saw a church where practically the entire I side is painted with gold leaf!  Unbelievable, really!  I was not allowed to take photos but I did buy a postcard.  It doesn't do it justice but its the only option!  Wednesday several of us went out dancing again and we had a blast!  Met some locals from the website couchsurfing so that was great!  Hopefully I'll continue meeting people so I can practice my Spanish! This weekend is a bit up in the air but I'll keep you posted!  

Thanks for waiting patiently for this post!  I'm missing home and can't wait to return yet I'm enjoying every second I'm here!  

Goodnight!